Are you facing the prospect of braces for your teen? Are you getting some push back about the idea? Some kids really like the idea of getting their teeth straightened and don’t mind the idea of braces. Others may not be quite so easily convinced that they should have their teeth realigned, especially if it means a mouth full of metal and wires. Fortunately, there is Invisalign Teen. Your teenager may be a candidate for this non-invasive method of realignment for malocclusion.
Invisalign Teen vs Traditional Braces
There are several reasons why teens love Invisalign Teen aligners over traditional braces. In all fairness, traditional braces have changed over the years. They are not necessarily as bulky and uncomfortable as they have been in the past. However, there are still more advantages with Invisalign Teen. One of the major benefits is the fact that the aligners are clear. The teeth are moved discreetly and the aligners doing the work are virtually invisible. Every two weeks or so, a new set of aligners is used to move the teeth closer to the desired position. Traditional braces use brackets and wires which need to be adjusted at regular intervals. This is not the case with Invisalign Teen. Just put in the new set of aligners, a quick check and your child is good to go until ready for the next set.
Additional Advantages of Invisalign Teen
The ease of moving teeth virtually invisibly is just one of the advantages of Invisalign Teen. Traditional braces also call for a change in diet. Due to the brackets and wires, certain foods become off-limits during treatment. Sticky foods, hard foods and foods that could get caught in the brackets are off-limits. Since Invisalign Teen uses removable aligners, there are no dietary restrictions. Your teen can enjoy the same foods they have always enjoyed. Going to the movies with friends and eating popcorn or going out for pizza is not off-limits. They can even enjoy caramel apples if they choose. Just remove the aligners when eating and pop them back in when finished.
Oral hygiene is also a simple matter with Invisalign Teen. Remove the aligners and brush and floss teeth as usual. Put the aligners back in when finished and that’s all there is to it. There are no special tools needed to keep the teeth or aligners clean. Traditional braces call for more work, as there is a need to brush around the brackets and wires to make sure all the teeth are clean. Plaque can build up easier around traditional braces as well; and, it is not uncommon for kids to develop cavities in difficult-to-clean areas. With Invisalign Teen, this is not a problem. Regular checkups and professional cleaning will ensure that your child’s teeth are kept in great shape.
How Invisalign Teen Works
The clear aligners apply just enough pressure to the teeth to move them slowly over time to the predetermined position. Your dentist will take impressions of the teeth to make the aligners. The entire treatment is mapped out with 3D imaging technology. Another perk of Invisalign Teen is that your teenager has the opportunity to see what a beautiful straight smile they will have at the end of treatment, even before treatment begins; thanks to computer technology.
Make an appointment to find out if your teenager is a good candidate for Invisalign Teen. Getting that smile straight does not have to be an embarrassing ordeal. Call us at Village Park Family Dentistry today for more information.